About

This toolkit brings together resources and ideas to help you raise awareness of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers with young people from the widest range of backgrounds and starting points. It contains practical suggestions and links to some of the wide range of projects, websites, charities and initiatives that seek to tackle STEM inequality and lack of diversity.

The evidence points to the continuing need to find answers to key questions:

Why do young people still find the prospect of a STEM career less attractive than other options?

How can we further weaken the gender stereotyping of particular school subjects?

How do we motivate and inspire young people about careers in engineering – they can't all invent something amazing or change the world?

How can we create effective mentoring relationships for women who we know value this more than men?

How do we tackle parents' gender-typed expectations for their children's careers?

How can we change working class constructs of femininity to encourage more girls to participate in STEM?

Why is the formal culture and career structure of some engineering organisations still so male-dominated and impervious to the needs of women seeking flexible careers?

Why do some women persist in pursuing STEM careers even though the informal culture of the workplace is still deeply sexist and off-putting to women?

Why are girls still less likely than boys to be encouraged to study STEM subjects post 16 by family, teachers and friends?